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Upcoming Eventsand Deadlines

Become an SPJ Member

For more than 100 years the Society of Professional Journalists has been dedicated to encouraging a climate in which journalism can be practiced more freely and fully, stimulating high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism and perpetuating a free press.

About the Foundation

Since its founding in 1961, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation has promoted excellence and ethics in journalism. The SDX Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization that supports the educational programs of the Society of Professional Journalists and serves the professional needs of journalists and students pursuing careers in journalism.

Excellence in Journalism 2015Sept 18-20, 2015 – Orlando

Excellence in Journalism is the national journalism conference of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Join us in September in Orlando for training, networking, workshops and more!

SPJ News

SPJ Blogs: Newest Posts

Quill Headlines

Journalist's Toolbox

@SPJ_Tweets

Connect with SPJ

SPJ on Facebook

Upcoming Eventsand Deadlines

Become an SPJ Member

For more than 100 years the Society of Professional Journalists has been dedicated to encouraging a climate in which journalism can be practiced more freely and fully, stimulating high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism and perpetuating a free press.

About the Foundation

Since its founding in 1961, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation has promoted excellence and ethics in journalism. The SDX Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization that supports the educational programs of the Society of Professional Journalists and serves the professional needs of journalists and students pursuing careers in journalism.

Excellence in Journalism 2015Sept 18-20, 2015 – Orlando

Excellence in Journalism is the national journalism conference of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Join us in September in Orlando for training, networking, workshops and more!

SPJ STATEMENT ON JOURNALISTS' ARRESTS. In light of the recent arrests of journalists covering Occupy protests across the country, SPJ has issued a statement condemning this breach of First-Amendment rights. SPJ urges city administrators to drop all charges against these journalists and to avoid future incidents of arrest or obstruction of journalists' constitutionally protected work.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: MOE AND SDX AWARDS. SPJ is excited to announce that two contests, the Mark of Excellence and Sigma Delta Chi awards, are open for entries. The MOE Awards honor the best in collegiate journalism, and the entry deadline is Jan. 25, 2012. Entries for SDX Awards, for professional journalists, are due by Feb. 9, 2012.

The awards cover online, print, radio and television journalism. To be eligible, work must have been published or broadcast in 2011. Both contests are open to non-members, although SPJ members receive a significant discount.

JUDGES NEEDED FOR AWARDS CONTESTS. SPJ is looking for qualified volunteers to judge the Mark of Excellence and Sigma Delta Chi Awards, two national contests that recognize the best work published or broadcast in 2011. The MOE Awards honor the best collegiate journalists and the SDX Awards honor outstanding work by professionals.

MOE judges must have three years of professional experience, and SDX judges must have 10 years of professional experience and a thorough knowledge of the area they are judging.

For questions or to express your interest in volunteering, please contact Lauren Rochester at 317-927-8000 ext. 210 or awards@spj.org.

Thank you! These awards would not be possible without the commitment of members like you.

JOURNALIST'S TOOLBOX.The Journalist's Toolbox, brought to you by SPJ and DePaul University professor Mike Reilley, is a free resource providing links and tips for journalists on dozens of topics. Browse resources by category, or use the search function to find a specific article or topic.

Recent updates include politics, military history and the financial crisis. Visit journaliststoolbox.org for more resources, and interact with @journtoolbox on Twitter to get all the relevant updates.

GEORGE MASON BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE. The Virginia Pro chapter announces a tribute to George Mason, founding father and author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the model for the Bill of Rights. Mason insisted on including a Bill of Rights and abolition of slavery in the Virginia constitution. On Mason's birthday — Sunday, Dec. 11 — the group will travel to the George Mason Memorial in Washington, D.C.'s West Potomac Park, followed by lunch, then a tour of Mason's plantation home, Gunston Hall in Lorton, Va.

The tribute will take place Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Mason Memorial and 1:30 p.m. at Gunston Hall. SPJ Virginia Pro will coordinate rides from Richmond. RSVPs by all participants are required by Dec. 8, so that adequate restaurant arrangements and tour guides can be arranged. Contact Brian Eckert, brian_eckert@juno.com, for more information and RSVPs.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND FIRST AMENDMENT SCHOLARSHIP. The recent Knight Foundation "Future of the First Amendment" survey suggests that young people who actively use social media have a better understanding of core First Amendment principles. On Dec. 15, the "1 for All" campaign, Knight Foundation, First Amendment Center and the Newseum will both explore the survey findings and put them to the test. That date marks the 220th anniversary of ratification of the First Amendment.

The Newseum will host a special program on the survey results and ways in which educators can use social media to teach about free expression. At the same time, students throughout America will be invited to participate in "Free to Tweet," a national "1 for All" promotion that will award $5,000 scholarships to the 22 high school and college students who celebrate the First Amendment most creatively through social media.

LAST WEEK'S QUIZ. An article making the rounds this week in the journalism-watching world questioned the wisdom of who the author called "news gurus." What deceased journalist did the article open with to set the stage for his argument? For that matter, what is the article in question?

Answer: "Confidence Game" by Dean Starkman opens with a story about investigative journalist Ida Tarbell. Read the story here.

And the winner is... Harold Geiger, producer at KTVI-TV. Congratulations, Harold! Your thorough knowledge of journalism literature has won you the coveted SPJ Leads Quiz Prize™!

THIS WEEK'S QUIZ. Why has a long-standing blog been renamed "MediaWire"?